The strange neglect of Samuel Sarfo by coach Kwasi Appiah

Isn’t it strange that before his move to Iranian side Saipa FC, former Liberty Professionals skipper Samuel Sarfo, emerged a lover boy of Coach Kwasi Appiah, earning him a Black Stars call up, but has suddenly been blacklisted by the Ghana coach gaffer after the move?

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Sarfo was regarded as one of the most industrious defensive pillars in the local league, earning him a call up into the senior national team and even featuring for the side against the US men’s national team in a friendly.

His astounding performance did not only earn him that historic call up into the Black Stars A but also made him a key member of the Black Stars B side that won the WAFU Zone B Tournament in 2017.

But what has changed? Why has Sarfo strangely been neglected by Coach Kwasi Appiah? Does it mean he did not deserve his earlier call ups into the team? If so, what was the motivation for inviting him earlier? If not so, why the sudden neglect?

Sarfo featured for Ghana in a friendly against the USAThese and many other questions have been bothering the minds of several football enthusiasts considering the performance of Sarfo in the Iranian League.

Prior to his move to Saipa, Sarfo’s admirable performance for both Liberty and the Black Stars B was impregnated with amazing show of mastery football artistry and stupendous finishing.

Despite being a defender, he was among the top 10 leading goal scorers in the Ghana Premier League with 7 goals in 26 appearances, earning him a nomination into the top three players in the domestic competition.

The strange thing about Sarfo’s neglect is the fact that the defender has relentlessly kept his form and has been consistent in the Iranian Pro League starring excellently in the Asian Champions League and grabbing a goal this season.

Sarfo’s ability to maintain his form from Liberty to Saipa FC where he’s been described as one of the most reliable and magnificent defenders, makes it questionable for his absence under Kwasi Appiah’s spectacles.

Make no mistake, the Iranian Pro League is one of the strongest leagues in Asia and Sarfo’s club is one of the best in terms of player development.

The team is owned by SAIPA, an Iranian automobile manufacturer, and has one of the best youth academies in Iranian football and regularly promotes academy players to the first team.

This is a side that has been coached by former German international Pierre Littbarski before, and in fact, he’s applauded for a key role in the structure of the club.

The club is currently coached by Bayern Munich legend Jeremy Ali Adei who has masterly shaped the side into a brilliant team making them a stronger force in the Pro League. So if Sarfo was good enough to earn a call up into the Black Stars when he was playing for Liberty Professionals, why isn’t the same player good enough to attract a call up when he has even moved into a better league, comparatively?

With 26 appearances this season and a goal to his credit, Sarfo’s domestic ghost will surely be haunting Kwasi Appiah following his move to Saipa.